Summary
This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain de Havilland Model DHC-8-100, - 200, and -300 series airplanes, that would have required modification of the flight compartment door. That proposal was prompted by a report that the door lock mechanism of the flight compartment door jammed and could not be opened using the alternate release mechanism. This new action would add repetitive inspections for wear of the flight compartment door hinges following modification, and repair or replacement of the hinges with new hinges, if necessary. This new action also revises the applicability of the existing AD. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the alternate release mechanism of the flight compartment door, which could delay or impede the evacuation of the flightcrew during an emergency. Such failure also could result in the flightcrew not being able to assist passengers in the event of an emergency.